Solderless anode clip for cathode ray tubes

ABSTRACT

An improved anode clip normally employed to interconnect the end of an insulated conductor to a cathode ray tube including first, second and third conductor-engaging members, the first member being centrally disposed with respect to the second and third members, and including an arcuate portion partially surrounding a conductor, and communicating with a pair of cathode terminalengaging members to resiliently bias the same; the second and third conductor-engaging members each including an arcuate portion joined at the medial parts thereof to the medial part of the arcuate portion of the first conductor-engaging member, and communicating with planar members on either side thereof which are crimped against the outer surface of the conductor insulation, thereby offering increased resistance to twisting forces perpendicular to the axis of the conductor tending to loosen the clip from the conductor.

United States Patent Hoegerl Sept. 5, 1972 [54] SOLDERLESS ANODE CLIP FOR CATHODE RAY TUBES [72] Inventor: Otto Hoegerl, Saegerstown, Pa.

[73] Assignee: National Tel-Tronics Corporation,

Great Neck, NY.

[22] Filed: Feb. 9, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 113,987

[52] US. Cl ..339/256 R, 339/276 T [5 I] Int. Cl. ..II0ln 11/22 [58] Field of Search ..339/256, 258, 276

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,274,089 2/ 1942 OBrien ..339/258 R 2,266,530 12/1941 Andren ..339/258 R 3,258,732 6/1966 Martin ..339/258 TC FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,087,366 8/1954 France ..339/258 R Primary Examiner-Joseph I-I. McGlynn Attorney-Charles E. Temko [57] ABSTRACT An improved anode clip normally employed to interconnect the end of an insulated conductor to a cathode ray tube including first, second and third conductor-engaging members, the first memberbeing centrally disposed with respect to the second and third members, and including an arcuate portion partially surrounding a conductor, and communicating with a pair of cathode terminal-engaging members to resiliently bias the same; the second and third conductor-engaging members each including an arcuate portion joined at the medial parts thereof to the medial part of the arcuate portion of the first conductor-engaging member, and communicating with planar members on either side thereof which are crimped against the outer surface of the conductor insulation, thereby offering increased resistance to twisting forces perpendicular to the axis of the conductor tending to loosen the clip from the conductor.

1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures SOLDERLESS ANODE CLIP FOR CATHODE RAY TUBES This invention relates generally to the field of anode clips for attaching conductors to cathode ray tubes of the type described in US. Pat. No. 3,431,544, granted Mar. 4, 1969, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application. More particularly, the invention relates to an improvement in clips of this type adapted to provide a more secure engagement with an insulated wire conductor.

In the above mentioned prior patent, there is disclosed a clip including an arcuate portion which surrounds the insulation covering the conductor, so configured that a portion of bared wire may be bent to lie upon the exposed surface of the insulation, and be clamped by the clip to provide electrical communication therebetween. Although theoretically, this construction does not require the soldering of the wire to the clip, care must be exercised to assure adequate electrical communication when the clip is engaged with the anode of a cathode ray tube. Further, care must be taken in the handling of apparatus with which the clip is installed, to avoid disturbing the electrical communica tion between the wire and the clip.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved clip of the described class, in which the above mentioned disadvantages have been substantially eliminated.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved anode clip provided with means which may be crimped directly upon the surface of the insulation surrounding the wire of the conductor on either side of the means which attaches the clip to the anode, thereby providing a firm resistance to twisting forces applied perpendicularly to the axis of the conductor which might tend to dislodge the conductor from contact with the clip.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved anode clip of the class described in which adequate electrical communication is maintained between the wire of the conductor and the clip, once installed, without resort to soldering techniques.

Yet another object to the invention lies in the provision of an improved clip of the class described, in which the cost of fabrication may be of a reasonably low order, directly comparable with existing prior art devices, thereby permitting consequent wide sale, a distribution and use.

These objects, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more clearly appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view thereof.

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view thereof showing the same in installed condition upon an insulated conductor.

FIG. 5 is a plan view as seen from the plane 5-5 in FIG. 4.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, is formed as a single stamping from stainless steel sheet material, although less expensive metallic materials may be employed, where required. The stamping is bounded by end edges 11 and 12, side edges 13 and 14, and axially aligned edges 15, 16, 17, and 18. The device includes a first conductor-engaging member 19, a second conductor-engaging member 20, a third conductor-engaging member 21, and anode terminal-engaging members 22 and 23.

The first conductor-engaging member 19 includes an arcuate portion 25 extending over approximately 180, and of a radius of curvature generally corresponding to the radius of the conductor to be engaged. The arcuate portion 25 communicates with the generally planar portions 26 and 27 which are in mutually parallel relation, and are bounded by side edges 28.

The second and third conductor-engaging members 20 and 21 are similar, and are situated on either side of the first conductor-engaging member 19. Each includes an arcuate portion 30, again, extending over substantially 180, and a pair of generally planar portions 31 and 32. It will be observed that the members 20 and 21 are interconnected to the member 19 only at the medial parts of the arcuate portions of each, so as to allow the greatest possible flexibility of the arcuate portion 25 in exerting a resilient action on the members 22 and 23.

The numbers 22 and 23 may be generally similar to those disclosed in the above mentioned prior patent, each including a laterally extending portion 34 interconnected by a bend portion 35. The portion 34 communicates with a bend portion 36 in turn communicating with a planar portion 37 and extending to a large radius bend portion 38 having an angular length of 105 to communicate with a planar portion 39. Engagement of the members 22 and 23 with a cathode ray tube is accomplished by squeezing them toward each other against the resilient action of the arcuate portion 25, until the opening in the cathode ray tube (not shown) is cleared, after which the same are released to engage the edge of the opening in well known manner.

The device is installed as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 in the drawing, wherein a high voltage conductor 42 having a conducting wire 43 and relatively thick insulation 44 surrounding the same is engaged on the outer surface 45 thereof. The conductor wire 43 which extends outwardly of the insulation is bent back through so as to lie on the outer surface 45, and establish electrical communication with the continuous inner surface of the arcuate portions 25 and 30. The planar portions 31 and 32 of each of the second and third conductor-engaging members 20 and 21, respectively, are then crimped into the insulation 44, this operation pressing the free end of the wire 43 against the continuous surface, the resiliency of the insulation 44 preventing damage to the same.

Owing to the clamping action existing on either side of the members 22 and 23, there is no leverage available to assist a twisting force perpendicular to the principal axis of the conductor which might serve to disengage the conductor from the clip.

- I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in the specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. In a unitary solderless anode clip for cathode ray tubes, the improvement comprising: first, second and third conductor engaging members; said first conductor-engaging member including an arcuate portion of substantially 180 curvature, and a pair of substantially planar portions extending from each side thereof in mutually parallel relationship, and anode terminal-engaging member communicating with each of said planar portions, said engaging members being mutually resiliently compressible against the distortion of said arcuate portion; said terminal-engaging members each including a laterally extending portion interconnected by a 90 bend portion to said second conductor-engaging member, said laterally extending portion communicating with a 135 bend portion, in turn communicating with a planar portion and extending to a large radius bend portion having an angular length of and subsequently interconnecting with a planar portion, said bend portion forming manually engageable means whereby said conductor-engaging members may be squeezed together to facilitate engagement with the terminal of a cathode ray tube; said second and third conductor-engaging members being symmetrically disposed on either side of said first conductor-engaging member, each including an arcuate portion and a pair of planar portions communicating with said arcuate portion, said second and third conductor-engaging members being interconnected with said first conductor-engaging member over a medial part of the arcuate portions of each. 

1. In a unitary solderless anode clip for cathode ray tubes, the improvement comprising: first, second and third conductor engaging members; said first conductor-engaging member including an arcuate portion of substantially 180* curvature, and a pair of substantially planar portions extending from each side thereof in mutually parallel relationship, and anode terminal-engaging member communicating with each of said planar portions, said engaging members being mutually resiliently compressible against the distortion of said arcuate portion; said terminal-engaging members each including a laterally extending portion interconnected by a 90* bend portion to said second conductorengaging member, said laterally extending portion communicating with a 135* bend portion, in turn communicating with a planar portion and extending to a large radius bend portion having an angular length of 105*, and subsequently interconnecting with a planar portion, said 135* bend portion forming manually engageable means whereby said conductor-engaging members may be squeezed together to facilitate engagement with the terminal of a cathode ray tube; said second and third conductor-engaging members being symmetrically disposed on either side of said first conductor-engaging member, each including an arcuate portion and a pair of planar portions communicating with said arcuate portion, said second and third conductor-engaging members being interconnected with said first conductor-engaging member over a medial part of the arcuate portions of each. 